Overheard
“Masterminds 2012,” by SF Weekly, 2/10/2012
Honoring 10 of the Bay Area’s Most Inventive Artists. We salute some of the Bay Area’s most arresting artists, performers, and creators.
Eric Cohen’s work: under his lens, the process of harvesting, fermentation, and bottling are turned into cosmological panoramas. Wine gurgles to the surface like volcanic bubbles about to explode. Swirls of vino turn into clouds of pinks that resemble the aurora borealis. Even grape fields are re-imagined as dreamy landscapes.
“Photography and winemaking share the same intersection of art and science, ” Cohen says, “Both are expressions of ethereal moments that can never be repeated in the same way again.”
“Petite Sirah for the 99 Percent,” by Andrea Kissack, KQED/ Bay Area Bites, 2/02/2012
Eric Cohen’s vineyard designated Petite Sirah has soul — lots of it…Whether it’s about additives in wine or fighting for the working poor, Cohen’s passions run deep and he doesn’t take the easy road… Cohen sources from high quality, but lesser known, vineyards and he has infused his wine making, and his marketing, with a quest for social justice… Natural wine makers are very committed to their pure style of wine making but one thing about Cohen is, as obsessed as he is about some things, he is not dogmatic. ”
Dining Around with Gene Burns, News Talk 910, KKSF, 1/28/2012
Dining Around w Joel R 1’12
“Why is Petite Sirah Important to me personally…“, by Jo Diaz, Diaz Communications 1/25/2012
Eric Cohen, Shoe Shine Wine, the poet of our group:
PET reminds me of Venice Beach– seen by many as unlike any other in the world…
“On Wine: Petite Sirah Love,” by Laurie Daniel, Bay Area News Group (incl. San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune), 8/16/2011
Petite Sirah is a longtime denizen of Dry Creek, but it’s thriving in a lot of other places, such as Suisun Valley in Solano County. That’s the source of the 2006 Shoe Shine Petite Sirah ($25), a plump, lively wine with ripe berry, spice, and a note of mocha.”
“Petite Sirah, We Love You!”,” by Laura Ness, MyVineSpace.com, 8/17/2011
Among the standouts: Justice Grace Vineyards 2008 York Creek, Spring Mountain, Napa: 1% Marsanne adds pineapple and lavender to a wine laden with minerality. Shoe Shine Wine 2006, Solano County: 0.7% Mourvedre adds wild strawberry jam to this spicy, racy, vibrant wine.”
“Is there a Durif in the House?” by D.Marc Capobianco, Sostevinobile, 7/28/2010
Normally, the transition from luxury of crushed velvet to the relative mundanity of a Shoe Shine might be deemed a considerable downgrade except when delectating this handcrafted NV Petite Sirah Eaglepoint Ranch from Eric Cohen’s Justice Grace Vineyards. This striking 400 case debut joined another newcomer to the P.S.I Love You family…”
“Golden Times in Mendocino, tasting at the Golden Vineyards,” by Kristian Ktelmayer, 8/11/2009
Shoe Shine Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007: Liquorice, full of black fruit. It’s an explosion of fruit, rich and dense, candy. Fiery, peppery black fruit and incredible ripe, high drive, full side, massive wine. 25 brix.”
“Shoe Shine Petite Sirah, 2007: Red fruit on the nose, very delicate with a subtle note of cherry and light spice. Ripe fruit, good tannins, sweet spice and ripe, some black fruit, pretty and friendly wine despite it has certain weight.”
Downloadable assets
Right-click to download images.
- SFMOMA signage
- BiRite’s “Eat Good Food” book cover
- Wine Label: Hetero (kiss)
- Wine Label: Men (tango)
- Wine Label: Women (footsie)
- Fabric capsule bottle tops
- Photos of owner/winemaker Eric Cohen
